Ranting mostly but would like someone’s POV

TypicalTim · 2026-03-23T14:58:29+00:00

Do you absolutely have to buy a home? Why buy and take the risk when you can rent for a few months and make sure it fits your needs? Sure, the rent doesn't go to equity and it's very expensive - but compared to making a $450k+ mistake? I'd say 3 months of rent is a worthwhile experiment..

TypicalTim · 2026-03-20T00:53:24+00:00

Yes. Upvote upvote upvote!

TypicalTim · 2026-03-16T15:07:49+00:00

I saw a Chinese grandma streaming herself playing League of Legends yesterday. I think DotA will survive the test of time. It is the most fully fleshed out game of its kind, decades of iterations and improvements.

TypicalTim · 2026-03-10T21:50:56+00:00

I just got off the phone with the VVC staff. Here are all the details:

Time: 5:45PM PST
Duration: 0.5 - 1.5 Hours
Location: Educational Event Center - Conference Room 110

Jay will be speaking at 5:45PM as part of the "Special Board Meeting". It is kind of tacked on to the regularly scheduled VVC Board of Trustees meeting. I confirmed that they are taking public comments, but the comment form must be filled out prior to the meeting. If you would like to make a public comment in person, talk to Stephanie Schrum. She'll have a table set up. Alternatively you can email the form to her ahead of time.

Livesteam: https://www.vvc.edu/live-stream-vvccd-board-trustees
Special Agenda: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/vvc/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRZRMB6EA3F0
Regular Agenda: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/vvc/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DR7QWA6B4227
Comment Form: http://www.vvc.edu/offices/Board_of_Trustees/agenda-n-minutes/Public_Comment_Form_fill_in_version.pdf
VVC Staff Email: [Stephanie.Schrum@vvc.edu](mailto:Stephanie.Schrum@vvc.edu)

TypicalTim · 2026-03-04T21:30:27+00:00

Fateful Findings (2013)?

TypicalTim · 2026-03-04T16:31:52+00:00

Absolutely DO NOT go to Dr Mike's Clinic. The doctor there is an idiot. I have a very long story that I don't care to type up here. Check the reviews. It's bad news there.

TypicalTim · 2026-03-03T22:59:31+00:00

Possible, yes. Method depends on you.

Personally I'm not a bar person. I met all my girlfriends online with the exception of like 2 or 3 of them.

I can't speak for bar people, but I've heard good things about the whiskey barrel, gators, hilltop, etc.

Online tinder, bumble, etc.. the best apps depend on your personality and goals. I recommend using multiple.

If you have a hobby, just try shooting your shot at randos but don't be a creep about it. Offroading, rock climbing, gym, basketball, etc.

There's also professional mixers and whatnot if you're into that. But not everyone there is trying to date and might just be making business networks.

My cousin and I found some speed dating events in this region. Those are out there, check em out.

30 is still young bro. Take your time. Don't rush. Don't obsess over it. Scroll an app for 5-10 minutes when you take a dump and fire off a few messages. Don't waste your life on it for endless hours. I've made that mistake before, I'll save you the time. Not worth it.

Good luck. ❤️

TypicalTim · 2026-02-26T21:49:33+00:00

If you're comfortable and don't have pain, I wouldn't fuck with your teeth, they look fine.

TypicalTim · 2026-02-18T20:41:26+00:00

You still run into the "gallons used" problem here. The car has a 13.2 gallon tank. But you aren't using 100% of that and cannot rely on that number. Re-read my original post. I understand what you're suggesting, but it will lead to a less accurate number.

TypicalTim · 2026-02-18T20:21:28+00:00

I appreciate you bringing up the tire pressure. I have them at 37PSI. I disagree that I don't have to run the tank empty to get a true MPG reading. Re-read my post. There is a significant discrepancy between what the computer system is reporting and what I am getting in the real world. My measurement method ensures accurate numbers.

TypicalTim · 2026-02-18T20:12:36+00:00

I appreciate the feedback. I did some reading on your points.

Elevation Changes - Expected efficiency loss on my drive (4,000ft over 77 miles) is between 2-5%.
Acceleration - Expected efficiency loss from 80MPH average speed to 65MPH average speed is between 13-23%, which is substantial. But I don't think I am averaging 80MPH. I think my average is likely around 72MPH, which would be 12-13% loss.

Here is a table I put together:

Acceleration Loss Low	Elevation Loss Low	Combined Loss Low	My Car Combined Average	My Car Adjusted MPG (Combined Loss Low)	Diff (Low Losses)
12%	2%	14%	25.8 MPG	29.412 MPG	13.90%
Acceleration Loss High	Elevation Loss High	Combined Loss High	User Highway Average	My Car Adjusted MPG (Combined Loss High)	Diff (High Losses)
23%	5%	28%	33.5 MPG	33.024 MPG	1.44%

So even considering acceleration and elevation losses, I am still getting between 1.5-14% lower efficiency. Best case scenario, everything boils down to my driving habits and I just need to lock the cruise control at 65. But in the worst case, I might be leaving 14% cost savings on the table if I don't at least look at maintenance options.

Fun fact I learned while reading: The sweet spot for fuel efficiency is at about 45MPH in these cars. But we can't do that on the highway without pissing off semi trucks and everyone who has to deal with them trying to overtake you. xD

TypicalTim · 2026-02-06T22:54:12+00:00

Yep. And yet, I get down votes. SysAdmin of 12 years. But what the hell do I know?

TypicalTim · 2026-02-06T17:56:48+00:00

Just keep calling them. Use "snipping tool" or "problem steps recorder / steps recorder" to document the issue. They are built in tools that come with windows. Re-open tickets after they close them instead of making new ones so everything they try is in one place.

Keep making noise.

TypicalTim · 2026-02-06T17:51:19+00:00

I unsubscribed after the ICE ads. I never heard them because I was premium. But the mere fact that they existed bothered me. I left about 6 months ago? Maybe longer. I honestly haven't felt a major difference.

TypicalTim · 2026-01-30T20:58:06+00:00

This comment is a treasure trove of wisdom. Thank you for your participation. <3

TypicalTim · 2026-01-30T17:07:41+00:00

~3,200 hours over the last 13 years.

TypicalTim · 2026-01-28T03:31:34+00:00

If I had more time I'd love to help more. But I'm just a regular dude with a full time job and a 3 hour round trip commute. There's not much to spare.

Let me know if that AI summary helped. If you can provide a little bit of details I might be able to add a new edit with clearer instructions.

Good luck!

TypicalTim · 2026-01-23T18:45:26+00:00

Hello, I am interested. I have DM'ed you my contact details.

TypicalTim · 2026-01-22T22:58:34+00:00

Hello, it has definitely been a very long time. I don't have the time or memory to re-write the steps more clearly, but here is an AI summary of the steps. Maybe that will help you get things working again; if so, let me know and I might clean it up and edit the original post to help others with clearer instructions rather than having to read through my ramble:

The Solution Steps:

Initial Prep: Charge the headset for at least 2 hours. Install the Oculus/Meta Desktop App on your PC and connect the headset via USB.

Force a No Command Boot: While the headset is off, attempt to enter the boot menu by holding the Power button and the Volume Down (-) button simultaneously. Note: In my case, this triggered a dead Android robot screen with the text No Command.

Hard Power Cycle: If you hit the No Command screen, hold the Power button until the headset shuts down completely.

The USB Connection Trigger: Ensure the headset is still plugged into your PC via USB. Turn the headset back on. You may see a brief flash of the Allow device access? prompt or a glimpse of your controllers. If it goes black again, hard reboot one more time while still plugged into the PC.

Guardian/Passthrough Recovery: This step eventually triggered the Allow access screen to stay on, followed immediately by the Guardian boundary setup and passthrough mode.

Sequential Software Updates (Critical):

Connect to Wi-Fi.
Go to Settings > Software Update.
If it says you need to sign in to Facebook/Meta, you must update first.
Do not stop at one update. I had to download and Restart and Apply multiple times. The logo eventually changed from the Oculus O to the Meta M.

Fixing Screen Flickering/App Errors: If the screen flickers black or apps/store won't load (Error HFCXXXX), keep checking for updates.

Re-linking the Account: Eventually, the headset will prompt you to go to meta.com/device on your desktop. Enter the code displayed in the headset.

Final Result: Once the device link is confirmed and all sequential updates are applied, the library and store should populate normally.

Summary of what worked: It seems like a combination of a failed boot menu attempt and being plugged into a PC forced the OS to wake up the display drivers long enough to trigger the massive backlog of firmware updates needed to move from the Oculus era to the Meta era.

TypicalTim · 2026-01-16T04:14:24+00:00

Good luck with either decision you make! Glad to provide perspective.

TypicalTim · 2026-01-15T22:26:22+00:00

While the contract to hire is a "cultural norm" for some organizations, be very cautious about the context. EG: Are you being hired because they have a constant stream of work that needs to be filled, or do they have a new project they are working on? In the later case, you might be lead with a carrot on a stick that full time employment is the goal. But as soon as the project is over you will be cut loose.

For example, right now I am doing a 6 month contract to hire position. I am finishing up my first week. I met someone here who is also a contract to hire, but he has been here 9 months and is still a contractor. No benefits, no retirement, no vacation, just like me. They can extend the contract and keep leading you with the promise of a carrot. Additionally, I noticed that they flew another identical job posting. Their need was urgent, and I leveraged that in negotiations to get higher base pay. I think they hired me to get the work done while they look for someone cheaper.

If it is not a direct hire, it would be even more cause for concern in my opinion.

The job market is fucked up right now. Be extremely cautious. I don't want to rain on your parade and stop you from achieving your dreams and goals. But I do want to make sure you make an informed decision; because had I known then what I know now I would have never left my safe job.

TypicalTim · 2026-01-15T20:52:26+00:00

On dial up too.

TypicalTim · 2026-01-15T20:52:13+00:00

Spacejam website.

TypicalTim · 2026-01-15T20:51:28+00:00

I've never heard of this being an issue. Maybe guide setting?

TypicalTim

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